A Labor Day Weekend STA Parade

As much of Washington, D.C., was quiet ahead of a somewhat unusual Labor Day holiday weekend due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the FCC on Friday posted no new transactions.

That said, there were several STA requests — including a station profiled this week in a RBR+TVBR InFOCUS Podcast.

Among the licensees applying for STAs is KZIA Inc., owner of KZIA-FM 102.9 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

As noted by CEO Julie Hein in a Sept. 1 podcast, strong “Derecho” winds caused massive problems for the stations KZIA Inc. owns while wreaking havoc on a wide swath of eastern Iowa.

Now, Hein and KZIA Inc. is seeking an STA for reduced power, due to transmitter and engineering issues caused by the Derecho.

BOOSTER RULE VIOLATION IN ARIZ.

Also seeking an STA: a licensee that gained attention for its foreign ownership concentration.

Deportes y Música Comunicaciones LLC is the licensee of KRPH-FM 99.5, licensed to Morristown, Ariz., and a booster serving the town of Wittman, Ariz. In December 2017, it became known that two Mexican citizens—one of whom is a major Univision Communications executive—wished to buy it.

The Commission granted the deal, giving Deportes y Música control. The principals: Juan Carlos Rodriguez, who holds 70% voting and equity interest in parent entity SMG-MX LLC, and Francisco Gonzalez, who holds the remaining voting and equity interest. Rodriguez is President of Univision Deportes — a position he has held since 2012.

Now, an STA is sought for the booster in Wittman. Why? The Commission says it is the result of a restriction on the licensee’s use of the booster that created a rule violation.

A LAS VEGAS ASK

Lastly, Radio Activo 2 LLC is seeking an STA for temporary operation from boost KADD-FM 1 while its main antenna undergoes repairs.

That could attract scrutiny from the Commission: KADD-FM 93.5 is licensed to Logandale, Nev., near the state line with Arizona. The booster? That’s a 54-watt signal overlooking the Las Vegas metropolitan area from the north.